HL Deb 30 April 1974 vol 351 cc9-10

2.57 p.m.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether persons from countries belonging to the E.E.C. are given priority over persons from other European countries in applying for jobs in the hotel and club industry.

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, E.E.C. legislation provides for the free movement of Community workers between Member States. Workers from non-E.E.C. countries require work permits for employment in the hotel and catering industry in Great Britain, and these are restricted so far as men are concerned to 5,000 a year.

LORD AMULREE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. In view of the shortage of people to take up this employment, may I ask whether it is possible to increase the number of non-E.E.C. people coming to this country?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, as I have said, there is no restriction on the numbers coming from E.E.C. countries. I might indicate that the number who came during the past year was 1,600. That figure does not take account of those who intend to stay for less than six months, whose numbers I do not know; nor does it take acount of those coming from the Irish Republic. We have no reason to believe that the numbers are inadequate and the Community nationals, other than the Irish, generally come here of their own accord. In fact, only 2 per cent. of the 1,600 use the official employment services.

LORD DERWENT

My Lords, can the Minister say why, as in so many other matters, no restrictions are placed on women?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, perhaps the women's liberation movement has made greater progress than it realises.

LORD BYERS

My Lords, can the Minister indicate to the House how many applications were refused? I believe he said that 5,000 are being allowed in, but can be indicate how many are knocking at the door?

LORD HUGHES

Not without notice, my Lords.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, in the future interests of our well-served, well-fed hotels, will Her Majesty's Government consider encouraging the attraction to this country of Italian waiters and French chefs?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, I can think of no better encouragement than allowing them in without let or hindrance.

LORD HYLTON

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, particularly in London, there is a great boom in the building of hotels, but that little thought appears to have been given to where the people working in those hotels are to live?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, with respect I think that question runs a little wide of the original Question.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, would it not be in the best interests of our hotel and catering industry if the suitability of a given person for a given job were the overriding consideration, rather than his country of origin?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, as regards the permits for non-E.E.C. people, I assume that that is one of the considerations. One of the points about the regulations of the Community is that we are not allowed to take these factors into consideration.